ONS: 30 January 2015

AFRICA: The AU called for a regional five-nation force of 7,500 troops to defeat the “horrendous” rise of Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants.

AMERICAS: In Venezuela, newly published regulations for soldiers overseeing demonstrations say they can open fire if they feel their lives are at risk.

ASIA: In Pakistan, a bomb blast at a Shiite mosque in the south of the country killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more.

EUROPE: In Italy, the 1,009 parliamentarians and regional officials eligible to pick the new president began a new round of voting following a failure to choose a consensus candidate in the first round

MIDDLE EAST: The Jordanian military said that it was still awaiting proof that a pilot threatened with execution by ISIS group is alive.

TECHNOLOGY: An independent watchdog group reported that a former CBS investigative reporter was not hacked by the Justice Department for writing critical stories about the Obama administration.

TOP STORY

Russia: Government criticizes US, EU sanctions and support for Ukraine.

Deputy PM Shuvalov said the goal of the country’s credit rating downgrade was to push businesses “to withdraw their support” for the government and President Putin.

Defence Minister Shoigu said he would not let anyone gain military superiority over Russia and that he would fulfill a plan to modernize the armed forces by 2020.

The Foreign Ministry said the EU’s decision to extend sanctions over Ukraine is a destructive policy that will lead nowhere.

Diplomatic sources said that Moscow and Washington are discussing a possible visit to Russia by US Secretary Kerry to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian officials reported that twenty-four people, including 19 civilians, were killed in the past 24 hours in clashes between government forces and pro-Russian rebels.

Region: The AU called for a regional five-nation force of 7,500 troops to defeat the “horrendous” rise of Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants. (AFP)

Region: UNSG Ban Ki-moon told African leaders gathered for the AU annual summit to not cling to power and respect the wishes of their people. (AFP)

Burundi: The ruling party said it is “ready for compromise” with the opposition to ensure peaceful elections. (AFP)

Egypt: President Sisi cut short a visit to Ethiopia for the AU regional summit, returning home to deal with a wave of deadly militant attacks. (AFP)

Nigeria: Witnesses reported that Chadian warplanes and ground troops bombed Boko Haram fighters out of the Nigerian border town of Malumfatori. (NYT)

AMERICAS

Region: US and Colombian authorities made 17 arrests and disrupted a criminal network that trafficked drugs between the two countries through Venezuela and Puerto Rico. (AFP)

Canada: Local media reported that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is to get new powers aimed at disrupting potential terror attacks under security legislation to be unveiled today. (Reuters)

El Salvador: Police arrested 117 people as they staged raids targeting gang members across the country. (AFP)

United States: VP Biden said that the administration hopes to increase funding to Central America to USD1 billion next year as part of a drive to boost relations with southern neighbors, bolster security and stem illegal immigration. (AFP)

Venezuela: Newly published regulations for soldiers overseeing demonstrations say they can open fire if they feel their lives are at risk. (AFP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: The Taliban claimed responsibility for an apparent “insider attack” at Kabul airport in which three American contractors and an Afghan were killed. (AFP)

Indonesia: President Widodo met with former Army GEN Subianto, with political analysts calling the move a warning to members of the president’s own coalition. (WSJ)

Pakistan: A bomb blast at a Shiite mosque in the south of the country killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more. (BBC)

Philippines: The government and Muslim rebel negotiators met in Malaysia, continuing ahead with talks on disarming the guerrillas despite a recent deadly clash. (AFP)

Thailand: The country’s junta forced prominent opposition figures to report for “attitude adjustment” as the military ramps up its campaign against dissent. (AFP)

EUROPE

Belgium: Police arrested four people during nationwide raids aimed at dismantling groups that recruit jihadists to fight in Syria. (AFP)

Greece: European parliament President Schulz told local media that the country should not undermine EU policy on Russia at a time when it is seeking support from its partners. (Reuters)

Italy: The 1,009 parliamentarians and regional officials eligible to pick the new president began a new round of voting following a failure to choose a consensus candidate in the first round. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq: ISIS killed a senior Kurdish commander and five fighters in a major attack in Kirkuk province, while bombings elsewhere left at least nine dead. (AFP)

Israel: The government published tenders to build 430 new settler homes in the West Bank. (AFP)

Jordan: The military said that it was still awaiting proof that a pilot threatened with execution by ISIS is alive. (AFP)

Syria: Monitoring groups reported that ISIS shot down a regime warplane that was bombing opposition-held areas, killing the pilot. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: An independent watchdog group reported that a former CBS investigative reporter was not hacked by the Justice Department for writing critical stories about the Obama administration. (WP)